Ta' Bistra Catacombs, Early Christian burial site in Mosta, Malta.
Ta' Bistra Catacombs is an underground burial complex near Mosta, Malta, that extends approximately 300 feet into the limestone bedrock. It contains around 57 individual tombs distributed across 16 chambers carved directly into the stone.
These underground tombs date to the 4th century and belong to Malta's early Christian period. Archaeological work in 1933 revealed them as the largest burial complex of its kind found outside Rabat.
The burial designs reveal how Malta's earliest Christian community honored their dead and the importance of underground tombs in their faith. The arrangement of graves and chamber layout shows what mattered most in their spiritual life.
Access to the underground chambers goes through an entrance from a farmhouse building that now serves visitors. Wear comfortable shoes, as the passages are uneven and can be damp in places.
During World War II, the stone chambers below served as air raid shelters protecting people from bombing. This secondary use reveals how the site remained relevant through different centuries of history.
Location: Mosta
Opening Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 08:30-17:15
GPS coordinates: 35.91549,14.41613
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:04
Malta contains numerous historical sites and natural landscapes away from the main tourist areas. The islands hold prehistoric temple complexes such as Skorba and Ta' Ħaġrat near Mġarr, Roman remains including the Roman Villa at Żejtun and ancient bath sites, and Ghar Dalam, a cave with Ice Age fossil deposits. The geological diversity appears at locations like Il-Maqluba, a natural sinkhole crater, and the Blue Grotto near Żurrieq, while coastal fortifications such as Mistra Battery and the Red Tower document the island's defensive heritage. Religious sites mark the rural areas, including the Chapel of Santa Marija Tal-Virtu in Rabat and the chapels of Qrendi. The Buskett Gardens and San Anton Gardens provide green spaces with historical significance, while Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park protects coastal habitats. Archaeological complexes like Tas-Silġ show layers of Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine settlement. The Victoria Lines near Rabat, an 18th-century defensive wall, and Fort Binġemma demonstrate military architecture from different periods. Gozo adds locations such as Mgarr ix-Xini, a sheltered inlet, and Il-Qolla l-Bajda Battery.
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